Ultrasound works like a micro-massage to the body cells.
It loosens dead or damaged cells and debris from an
injured area so the blood and lymphatic systems can carry
them away. By the friction of the sound waves passing
through the tissues, ultrasound produces a secondary
effect of therapeutic heat. Sound waves primarily
stimulate the normal activity of the various cells
(muscle, nerve, ligament, tendon etc). That activity is
to take in nutrients, cast off waste products and
reproduce, therefore promoting faster healing.
SHORT WAVE DIATHERMY
Short Wave Diathermy (inductive or conductive) via radio
waves produces a deeper therapeutic heat than other
therapies producing radiant heat. The heat is generated
in the deep tissues and is only felt as it comes to the
surface of the body. Short wave diathermy relaxes
muscles, promotes sedation, increases local
detoxification and phagocytosis (increase white blood
cell activity).
OTHER HEAT THERAPIES
Other forms of heat application such as fomentation
(moist heat packs), infrared, steam, sauna, whirlpools,
and heating pads among them, produces an analgesic or
calming effect, a slight increase in local metabolism,
some sedation of sensory nerves, increased blood flow and
muscle relaxation.
ELECTRO-THERAPIES
Electrical muscle stimulation - EMS; sine wave therapy;
sinusoidal therapy; bipolar stimulation; Hi Volt (high
volt galvanism); Interferential; Transcutaneous nerve
stimulations (TENS; transneural stimulation); Low Volt
(low volt galvanism); Microcurrent.
The therapeutic effects of electro-therapy varies
depending on the therapy's variables, such as the
current's phase, wave form or direction, frequency,
polarity, intensity, and continuity. Generally,
electro-therapy is designed to tone, exercise, strengthen
or fatigue; to soften or harden tissue; pump blood and
other body fluids and/or reduce swelling; to sedate
painful tissues, reduce sensory nerve pain, and for ionic
transfer.
CRYOTHERAPY
Cold therapy: cold packs, ice massage or vapo-coolant
spray.
The effects of short term cold application are
vaso-constriction to reduce blood flow and reduce
swelling; reduce the pain sensation on sensory nerves; to
increase muscular tone and to slow cell metabolism and
exudates (waste products and fluids of injury).
TRACTION
Long-axis, Intermittent, Ambulatory, Intersegmental,
Manual and Sustained;
Effects of traction: Immobilizes tissues (sustained);
tones ligaments; relaxes muscles; relieves compression on
joints; stimulates proprioceptive (joint capsule, muscle,
tendon or other internal tissue) nerve reflexes;
stretches fibrotic (scar) tissue and adhesions; restores
disc to more normal body mechanics; relieves compression
on nerves and other tissues and helps to relieve swelling
and congestion.
EXERCISES
Types: Active, Passive, Isometric (static or no
movement), Isotonic (kinetic with movement), Isokinetic
(movement with variable resistance). Concentric (muscle
contraction); Eccentric (muscle stretching or relaxing).
Goals of exercise: To increase flexibility (motion),
power (strength) and endurance (work over a period of
time).
Benefits of Exercise:
1. Increase blood flow locally
2. Enhance musculoskeletal performance
3. Decrease risk of injury
4. Decrease severity should an injury occur
5. Accelerated rehabilitation and the
return to activity after an injury
6. Aid weight loss
7. Increase cardiorespiratory (heart and
lungs) efficiency.
Click on the link to learn more about the following:
